'Cruz came to US with the idea': David Beckham blasts critics who accuse him and Victoria of being 'pushy parents' as he insists it was his 11-year-old son who wanted to make his pop debut
They were heavily criticised for introducing their youngest son to Justin Bieber's manager to begin his pop career at 11 years old.
But David Beckham has insisted that it was Cruz himself who came up with the idea of releasing the festive single - If Every Day Was Christmas - for charity this year.
Speaking to Good Morning America on Monday, the father-of-four responded to claims that he and wife Victoria were acting like 'pushy parents'.
Scroll down for video
Speaking out: David Beckham has spoken out about his son Cruz's pop debut for the first time, saying that it was his son's decision to release a Christmas single and not his own, following accusations that he and wife Victoria had acted as 'pushy parents'
He explained: 'And Cruz came to us and said "How about I do a Christmas song for charity? And all the proceeds go to charity." There’s nothing more to this than that at the moment.
'He's 11 years old, he's still at school, he’s concentrating at school that’s the most important thing but he wanted to give back and he’s done this amazing little Christmas song that’s got a lot of attention.
'And you know we are very proud of it. He came to us with the idea. It's kind of cool but he's having fun.'
Cruz, who is signed with Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun, is said to have agreed a one and done type of deal, according to his father.
Next Prince of Pop! The proud father said: 'And you know we are very proud of it. He came to us with the idea. It's kind of cool but he's having fun.' Cruz released his first single, which is set to raise money for Global's Make Some Noise campaign, earlier this week
The proud dad said: 'The amazing thing about this, we only realised Cruz has a cute little voice about nine months ago.
'Scooter has been a family friend for a while, so he said to bring him in [to the studio], see if he enjoys it.'
His words came after television personality Piers Morgan called Cruz's early pop breakthrough 'sickening' on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain, adding that Cruz 'should be at school'.
Clear to state that he wasn't criticising Cruz himself, Piers said: 'It's not his fault. He's 11. But how did he manage to release this? It's sickening.'
The 41-year-old said: 'The amazing thing about this, we only realised Cruz has a cute little voice about nine months ago'
Standing by his son: 'He's 11-years-old, he's still at school, he’s concentrating at school that’s the most important thing but he wanted to give back and he’s done this amazing little Christmas song that’s got a lot of attention,' he explained
Cruz released his first single, which is set to raise money for Global's Make Some Noise campaign, earlier this week.
David was on the show to talk about his own charitable work with children's foundation UNICEF.
He continued: 'For us, we always want in our children - we always hope - they're listening to us or pay attention to us as parents, so we do a lot of work for charity for obviously UNICEF and my wife does for the UN.'
Defending himself: David was on Good Morning America to talk about his own charity work
In defense: But it was the perfect time to address speculation that he and Victoria had 'pushed' a career on their youngest son
Giving back: The megastar insisted that it had been all Cruz's idea
Later that day, a dashing David was lending his star power to illuminating the Empire State Building in New York City blue to help commemorate the charity's 70th anniversary.
UNICEF ambassador David continued his own charitable commitments, having publicly spoken out in defense of his youngest son.
Former football hunk David wowed in a dapper navy blue suit that concealed most of his signature tattoo.
Donning a simple white dress shirt underneath, the sportsman sported an eccentric coal knitted tie as he held an even miniature statue of the famous building.
The father-of-four rocked a shiny pair of leather tawny pointed shoes that matched his belt effortlessly as he posed with event attendees next to a replica.
Beckham has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for over 10 years, launching 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund in 2015 which saw him make a commitment to helping the world's most vulnerable children.
Cool man: Later that day, David looked dashing as he illuminated the Empire State Building in New York City blue to commemorate UNICEF's 70th anniversary
Dapper chap: Donning a simple white dress shirt underneath, the footballer sported a eccentric coal knitted tie as he held an even miniature statue of the famous building
Charitable dad: The father-of-four rocked a shiny pair of leather tawny pointed shoes that matched his belt effortlessly as he posed with event attendees next to an Empire State replica
'When I launched my 7 Fund with UNICEF, I made a commitment to do everything I can to make the world a safer place for children and to speak out on issues that are having a devastating impact on children's lives,' David explained.
'One of those issues is violence. Every five minutes, somewhere in the world, a child dies from violence. Millions more are in danger of physical, emotional and sexual abuse that could destroy their childhoods forever.'
On Monday, the footballer released a video campaign where he rocked new ink as animated drawings depicting physiologically and physically violent acts against children come to life on his skin.
Sharing the video on his Instagram page, David urged his followers: 'Violence can mark children forever. I've met children with @unicef who have been affected by terrible violence and abuse and seen the long-lasting scars it can leave.
Lending a hand: Beckham has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for over ten years, launching 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund in 2015 which saw him make a commitment to helping the world's most vulnerable children.
Using his voice: The footballer said: 'When I launched my 7 Fund with UNICEF, I made a commitment to do everything I can to make the world a safer place for children and to speak out on issues that are having a devastating impact on children's lives'
Protecting the Beckham Brand: Earlier today, Beckham appeared on Good Morning America to discuss his work with the charity and also to defend his support of Cruz Beckham's Christmas charity song
Most watched News videos
- Watch woman get dragged off jet by police in Detroit
- 'Scumbag unions': Chants outside Brighton rail station
- 'We talked about life': Trump and Kanye discuss surprise meet
- Trash is dumped on woman's door step after she fails to pay
- Impressive fireball lights up Spain's Costa del Sol night sky
- Horrifying moment woman is kicked down the stairs by stranger
- Syria: Footage emerges of Russian special forces 'fighting ISIS'
- Feliks Zemdegs breaks Rubik's cube speed-solving world record
- Hunters forced to shoot a wild bear dead as it charges towards them
- Bill Murray and President Obama play golf in the Oval Office
- Documentary director attacked by gang of immigrants in Stockholm
- 'I'm going to wing walk!' Schofield talks to Duke about wing walk
- Kanye 2024: Rapper makes VIP trip to Trump Tower to meet...
- Growing Pains star Alan Thicke, 69, dies suddenly after...
- Shocking moment a woman was physically dragged off a Delta...
- Bill Cosby's lawyer gets in a screaming match with the DA...
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle buy £60 Christmas tree in...
- Mother-of-two who let her paralyzed husband get eaten alive...
- It's not 'he' and 'she'. It's 'ze': Oxford University union...
- 'I can't feel anything Meg. I love you so much': Groom is...
- The lavish $2m Florida mansion built by a wealthy citrus...
- PIERS MORGAN: Hillary and the hypocritical Democrats aren't...
- Trump's Iran stance could threaten a WORLD WAR and the...
- EXCLUSIVE: Pregnant Tori Spelling moves for the eighth time...